Improvement in carbureting apparatus



M. "W. KIDDER.

Carbureter. Y

Patented Sept. 13, 1870.

VEJ'SES/ x/v V5 to R,

7km WW N. PETERS. PHOTO-L THOGMPHE noses W. KIDDER, or LOWELL,nassaouusn'rrs. 7

Letters Patent N 107,268, dated cptcmbcr 13, 1870.

IMPROVEMENT IN CARBURETING- APIPARA'I'US.

The Schedule referred to in these Letters Patent and making part Of thesame.

. To all whom it out concern I Be it known that I, MOSES W. KIDDER, ofLowell,

in the county of Middlescx and State of Massachusetts, have inventedcertain new and useful Improvements in Gas-Carburetors, that is,intheapparatus which is used for carbureting gas, of which the following is afull, clear and exact description, reference being bad to theaccompanying drawings making part of this specification, in which-Figure 1 represents a vertical central section of my invention Figure 2,a bottom end view, after the lower head G has been removed.-

l ignre 3, a detached section of the diaphragm orvalve 1 and itsconnections, considerably enlarged Figure 4, a rear side view of thesame; and

Figure 5, a sectional elevation similar to fig. 3, but with theburner-tube 1 represented as having been turned upward by nnscrewin g,and with the diaphragm or valved raised fi'om olf its seat.

In this invention the fluid'rcservoir, of which A A are the sides, and Bthe top, maybe made either round or square, or in any other form, and itmust be of metal, or some substance that will resist the action of andretain naphtha or other similar fluids, naphtha being most commonly usedfor the purpose of carbureting gas. 4

Within this tank is arranged and secured a suitable frame-work, 0, uponthe interiorandextcrior of which is drawn cotton, flannel, or otherfibrous material, a and a, which covers the entire surfaces from top tobottom, and serves as wicking to convey the naphtha to the space D andD, above its surface, where the vapor of the'naphthaaccumnlatestocarburet the gas which passes through the saturated cloth and the vaporof naphtha whiclrsurrounds it.

The tank is filled with naphtha through the pipe E, which extendsdownward to near the bottom of the tank, and, like all other pipesentering said tank, it has a wire-gauze strainer applied to its lowerend,

toprevent the possibility of flame entering to ignite the fluid, and astop-cock, 7:, at the top, is to close when the tank is filled.

A metal jacket, I), surrounds the wickinga', and extends from the upperlincx of the fluid to the bottom of the tank, and a similar metallining, l is placed within the inner wicking a, and extends from theline at to the same level below as the outer jacket.

Thelower end of the metal lining and of the jacket are intended toterminate near the upper side of the lower head G, but not to join it,so that all the naphtha carried up by the wicks must be taken time thebottom of the tank bypassing between the lower ends of the lining, andthe jacket, and the head G to the lower ends of the wicks, and, as thenaphtha is not intended to rise above the top of the lining or the.

jacket, only the heavier-naphtha, or that of the lowest gravity, cancome in contact with the wicks at their lower ends, and in no other waybut by passing between them.

A gauge-pipe, H, enters the tank through'thetop B, the lower end ofwhich pipe extends a little below the top of thelining b and the-jacketb, and a stop-cock is arranged in the upper end of this pipe to preventthe escape of gas. When the tank is to be filled or refilled withl'iaphtha, the stop-cock is opened and the gas lighted at the top of thegauge-pipe, and, when a the tank. The stop-cocks in the gauge-pipe andin i the filling-pipe are then closed, and need not be opened againuntil the fluid in the tank requires to a re plenished.

Ahove the lining b, and joining the under side of the top head B of thetank, a curtain, 1), depends. This curtain incloses a space, D whichtakes in the gaugepipe H and the exit-pipe 1t, and all the gas whichpasses through the apparatus must pass under the lower edge of thecurtain p, and through thevapor which is near and above the surface ofnaphtha in the tank.

The vapor of naphtha near the surface, being more abundant, increasesthe illuminating power of the gas more than at the top of the spaces D,D, and D"; hence the importance of the curtain p to conduct or guide thecurrent of gas downward to near the surface of the naphtha, and throughor in contact with the vapor, before passing out at the exit-pipe R, andto the burners arranged for lighting or illuminating space.

At some convenient point above the tank just de scribed, another tank orcylinder is arranged. This tank consists of an inner chamber, I, whichis filled v with water, and another tank or heating-chamber, J, whichsurrounds the \vater-'t-ank,- except at the under side.

This double chambered tank is connected with the tank first described bya pipe, K, which may onter the lower tank through top head'B.

tle below the water-tank, is a small branch pipe, 0, which connects witha gas-chamber or space, 0, directly under the center of the flaringbottom N of the beneath the lining or the jacket to the wicks inclosedshown in figs. 3 and 5.

water-tank; and below the space a, and divided by an elastic diaphragmor valve, (1, is a water-space, f, connected with the water-tank I byapipc, g, at the lower curve of which is a pipe, 71-, through which thewater-tank may be filled by removing and inverting the tank. Said pipemaybe closed by a stop-cooler, arranged for that purpose. a

An ordinary Bunsen burner, P, is applied to the top of the gas-chamberor space 0, at the center of the top head I, and directly under thecenter of the flaring bottom N of the water-tank.

The lower part of the burner-tube screws through the head I, and isintended to be raised or lowered to regulate and control, in connectionwith the elastic diphragm, the supply of gas to be-.-admitted to theburner I, or to stop the flow of gas to said burner by screwing the tubedown and pressing the diaphragm tightly on the top of the seat'n,beneath the lower end of the tube.

The mode of applying the diaphragm .is clearly 1n the former thediphragm is shown asbeing pressed down on the seat a, and in the latterit is raised as it appears when in action or acted upon by. the pressureof water from the tank I through the pipe g to the space f.

R is the exit-pipe, through which the gas passes from thenaphtha-tank tothe main gas-pipes, and to the burners in difi'erent parts of thebuilding, or where the carburcter is connected.

The mode of holding the parts together with the diaphragm between themis clearly shown in fig. 4, by a clamp, S, which grasps the two parts 0and f, and a set-screw, an, passes through the lower part or hub of theclamp to biml such parts firmly together.

When this carbnreting apparatus is applied, the tank containing thenaphtha is placed a few inches belowthe surface of the ground in acellar or other suitable place, and covered with earth or with othersubstance that will not be liable to ignite or to injure.

lower tank by a pipe, K, which must be long enough,

between the top of the lower tank and the branch pipe 0, to bring theupper tank above the earth surface, and convenient for operatin Gas fromthe main pipeis then let; in through the meter and passesthrough thesupply-pipe L to the bottom or near the bottom of the tank I, and downthrough thepipe K to the space 1) of the vapor-chamber above the naphthain the lower tank.

From the space D the gas passes through the wicks a and a to the spaceI), then'ce under thelower edge of the curtain 1) to the space D, andout through the exit-pipe R to the burners, and, in its passagethroughthe several apartments or spaces, such gas passes through the vapor ofnaphtha near the surface of that in the tank, and such gas becomessaturated or charged with the vapor ofnaphtha which is con-.

stantly rising.

It is well-known that when the temperature of naphtha is near a freezingpoint, butlittle of the naphtha is vaporized; and that gas, at a lowtemperature, or near a freezing point, is capable of combining withvapor of naphtha only in a limited degree; or, in other words, thecapacity of gas to combine with or take up vapor of naphtha is verylimited when the temperature of the gas is low or near a freezing point.

To render the gas capable of combining with vapor of naphtha, or toincrease the capacity of gas to take up such naphtha vapor, and also tocause the naphtha to vaporize in sufficient volume, or in proportion tothe capacityof the gas to take up or combine with such vapor when thetemperature of the naptha'or of the gas, or of both-ofthem, is near afreezing point, the tank I being filled with water, the gas is lightedat the top of the burner l, and the burnertube adjusted or raised up, asshown in figs. 1 apd 5, to a height in proportion to the degree of cold,or the temperature of the gas or the naphtha, or both. The lower thetemperature of the gas or the naphtha, the higher the burner-tube shouldbe raised, so as to produce a larger flame at the top of the burner by agreater volume of gas passing through the tube.

Heat from the flame of the top of the burner 1? is transmit-ted throughthe bottom N of the tank I to the water therein, heating and expandingthe water, which also fills the pipe 9 and the space f below thediaphragm or valve (1. When the water is expanded by the heat, thepressure caused by such expansion acts against the under side of thevalve (1, forcing the elastic valve upward in the direction of or nearlyin contact with the lower end of the tube of the burner, thus narrowingthe passage for gas to the burner, and consequently reducing the size ofthe flame and the amount of heat be,- neath the water-tank; a

This reduction of heat allows the water to cool slightly, which relievesthe pressure under the valve, aml the valve gradually recedes or fallsaway from the lower end of the. burner-tube, which widens the passageand admits a greater volume of gas to the burner, increasing the flameand the heat, and again raising the temperature of and expanding thewater, and again forcing the elastic valve upward in the direction 'ofthe lower end of the-tube of the burner, to reduce a the passage for gasto the burner,-the size of the flame, and the :nnoant of heat to thetank, and the water therein, as before.

These operations and changes, such as heating and expanding the water,forcing the elastic valve upward by such expansion, reducing thesize ofthe flame, and allowing the water to cool, relieving the pressure underthe vaive,,aud allowing it to fall and widen the passage for gas to theburner, increasing the size of the fiarne, and again raising thetemperature of the water and forcing the elastic valve upward to narrowthe passage for gas to the burner, and again reduce the llame and theheat to allow the water-to cool; these changes and operations areconstantly going on solong as the gas remains lighted at the top of theburner I, and so long as said burner-tube is raised or adjusted, asshown in figs. l and 5, to allow the pressure of the expanding water toact under the elastic diaphragm or valve (1, and operate the same, asdescribed When the water in the tank I is heated by the flame at the topof the burner I, the gas which passes through the apparatus is alsoheated by passing around and above the heated water-tan k through theannular space J and the chambers O, and such gas is still further heatedby passing through the pipe K, which is completely surrounded by-theheated water in' the tank.

Heating the gas before passing it into the naphthatank renders it inoresusceptible or capable of taking up or combining with the vapor ofnaphtha, which greatly increases the illuminating power of the gas, andthe heat contained in the gas so raises the temperature 'of the naphtha,as the heated gas passes through the saturated wicking, and through thecompartments aboye, and near the surface of naphtha in the tank, as tocause suitable evaporation of naphtha to supply the gas with that vaporwhich so greatly increases its illuminating power.

\Vhen the temperature of the naphtha or ofthe gas is sufficiently raisedto allow .the naphtha to vaporize, and the gas to combine with 'or takeup the vapor of the naphtha without the aid of artificial heat, as whenthere is a change in the atmosphere from cold to warm, or where thebuilding or inclosure containing the carbureting apparatus is heated tothat degree to allow the naphtha to vaporize and the gas to combine withthe vapor of naphtha, so as to materially increase the illuminatingpower of the gas, then the tube of the burner P may be screwed down to aposition shown in fig. 3, pressing the diaphragm down onto the seat a,and perfectly closing the lower end of the burner-tube, and preventingthe escape of gas from the burner.

The gas which supplies this burner passes from the pipe K, through thebranch-pipe 0, into the space 0 above the valve (1, and through the tubec of the burner.

In vaporizing the naphtha, and in rendering the gas capable of combiningwith the vapor, as above described, and without the use of artificialheat, I do not consider that the operation will be pcrformediu asuitable manner unless the surrounding atmosphere, which affects thewarming or heating of the substances, shall heat both the gas and thenaphtha, and merely passing the gas through ordinary pipes to theburners, as arranged for the burning of such gas to illuminate space,will not be sufficient. It'is of importance that both the gas and thenaphtha shall be in a place suit-. ably heated or warmed, or thatartificial heat shall be used. 7 f

' The naphtha-tank is more properly placed in the ground at the bottomof a cellar, or under the building which contains the carburcter, andthe gas is admitted from a main pipe from the street, the temperature ofwhich is modified or determined. by the prevailing temperature of theseason, at times fitlling below the freezing point, when its capacityfor taking up the vapor of naphtha is necessarily insuificient to renderthe process of any considerable value; but by raising the temperature ofthe gas before it enters the naphtha-tank, its capacity for taking upthe vapor is not only increased, but the evaporation ofthe naphtha,depending also upon the temperature, is insured by theincreasedtemperature of the gas.

Others and more formal variations from the coustrnetion, arrangement,and mode of operation herein described I do not consider to beunprotected by this patent, if granted.

One object of this invention is to utilize such gravities of naphtha forcarbureting'as otherwise could not employed with advantage-in the winterseason, when the largest quantity of gas is consumed.

Another object of this invention is to use such I gravities of naphthaas bear a low market value and at the same time a higher value thanhigher gravitiesthe low gravities contain a larger per cent. of carbonthan the higher, and this is the particular substance required toincrease the illuminating power of gas.

I do not confine myself to the specific mode or means described forheating the gasbefore passing it.

lent mode or means, or any obvious substitute, for the herein-describedgas-heating device or apparatus, when used in combination with thenaphtha-tank, substantially as set forth and shown.

The most important feature andprineiple of 'my invention is toheat thevapor of the naphtha and prevent heating the naphtha itself, for to heatthe naphtha produces distillation, and, consequently, condensaheatingthe gas, and then, by passing such previouslyheated gas into thevapor-chamber or the space above the naphtha, thereby heating the vaporand rendering it more capable of combining with the gas, which, beingpreviously heated, combines more readily with the vapor of the naphtha,and increases its capacity to combine with the gas, and .all withoutperceptibly raising the temperature of the liquid naphtha, the effect ofwhich would be injurious, as before explained. The gas, being heated to124 Fahrenheit before it enters the carbureter, falls in temperature 58,aml passes from the carburcter at 66 Fahrenheit, the 58 of evident heatin the gas becoming latent in the process of evaporation.

I disclaim any and all modes, means, devices, or apparatus forcarbureting gas by heating the naptha or other liquid, the vapor ofwhich becomes the carburet-ing agent; but as my invention, and which Idesire to secure by Letters Patent,

I claim The method, substantially as described, of combiningilluminating gas with the vapor or the vaporized first heating the gas,and by passing such previouslythe naphtha, thereby increasing thecapacity of each product to combine with the other, and also increasingthe illuminating power ofthe gas, as set forth.

' MOSES W. KIDDER. Witnesses I J on E. CRANE, Anvru LAWRENCE.

of naphtha for the special purpose of carbureting, as

into the carbnreter, but I intend to use any cquivation of vapor in thepipes; and this I avoid by first products of naphtha or other equivalentliquid, by

heated gas into the vapor-chamber or the space above

